Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday took a swipe at the Congress’s attempt to gherao the state assembly and accused the opposition of internal divisions and political opportunism.

Maurya claimed that both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party were in disarray and were fighting amongst themselves for credit in the wake of the recent political developments in the state.

He remarked, “Both the Congress and SP are divided. Even in the Sambhal incident, the two parties seem to be split into two factions, each blaming the other for not playing a bigger role in their supposed success.”

The deputy CM went on to mock the Congress-SP alliance, highlighting the tension between the two.

“The SP is claiming that their victory in the last Lok Sabha elections was due to their efforts, while the Congress is saying the same. Both want to showcase their importance. But the truth is that Uttar Pradesh is moving towards a Congress-free future, and the Samajwadi Party is on the path to extinction. In 2027, just like in 2017, the BJP will form the government with a massive majority,” Maurya asserted, dismissing the opposition’s protests as ‘hollow’ and without direction.

Maurya’s criticism also extended to the leadership within both parties, saying that neither the Congress nor the SP have a clear leader or policy, and their demonstrations were nothing more than futile attempts to remain relevant in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.

Maurya’s remarks come at a time when SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq has approached the Allahabad High Court to seek the withdrawal of the FIR filed against him in connection with the Sambhal incident, claiming he was not present during the unrest.

In response, the deputy CM stated, “Anyone has the right to approach the court. But the facts remain clear - if SP leaders and their supporters, including MPs and MLAs, are found guilty in the Sambhal case, strict action will be taken against them as per the investigation.”

Asked about the gherao, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that it has only been planned to grab media headlines and that the Congress has no connection with the people.

“The Congress is surrounded by misdeeds and its workers are directionless,” Pathak said.

“The state is progressing rapidly with its all-round development after 2017. The people of the state believe that the government has worked to bring Uttar Pradesh to the number one position in the nation. Law and order have improved," he claimed.